Replacement top for a desk and the like

ABSTRACT

A replacement top for an existing top of a desk, table, or the like, including a durable decorative overlay sheet for placement over an existing top and having a frame attached to the undersurface of the sheet closely spaced to or contacting the edges and end surfaces of the existing top to prevent lateral displacement of the sheet.

United States Patent Inventor Clete L. Yokeley Hampton, S.C.

Appl No. 739,275

Filed June 24, 1968 Patented June 8, 1971 Assignee Westinghouse Electric Corporation Pittsburgh, Pa.

REPLACEMENT TOP FOR A DESK AND THE LIKE 6 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

Int. Cl A47b 13/08, B32b 1/04 Field of Search 161/44;

{56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 179,356 6/1876 Schmid 1. 108/159 1,151,470 8/1915 Kade 1. 108/159 1,708,080 4/1929 Caldwell..... 108/159 2,558,209 6/1951 Derman 312/195 Primary Examiner- Douglas J. Drummond Attorneyx- F. Shapoe and Lee P. Johns ABSTRACT: A replacement top for an existing top ofa desk, table, or the like, including a durable decorative overlay sheet for placement over an existing top and having a frame attached to the undersurface of the sheet closely spaced to or contacting the edges and end surfaces of the existing top to prevent lateral displacement of the sheet.

REPLACEMENT TOP FOR A DESK AND THE LIKE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an overlay for replacing a to surface on a desk and the like. More particularly, it pertains to a decorative laminate or veneer overlay for placement on the top surface of a desk or table.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ordinarily the top surface of a piece of furniture such as the top of a table or a desk is subjected to more usage and wear than any other part of the structure such as the frame. pedestals, and drawers. The surface finish of the top of a desk or table which is used frequently becomesworn and damaged to the extent that it is desirable to replace or refinish the top in order to obtain extended life out of the desk or table. To remove the top from the frame and apply a new top or to restore the original top surface by conventional methods of sanding as well as repairing the underlayment, is costly and time consuming so as to render the task virtually undesirable.

It has been found in accordance with this invention that the foregoing difficulties may be overcome by the provision of a laminated sheet like overlay for the top ofa piece of furniture which overlay is provided with frame members engageable with edge portions of the furniture top to prevent lateral movement of the overlay with regard to the top. Moreover, the overlay may be composed of decorative laminates which are not only highly attractive but which have high resistance to wear and damage and are conductive to easy maintenance.

Accordingly it is a general object of this invention to provide a replacement top for a desk and the like which top is readily placed in position on an existing top surface of a desk where it is retained against lateral displacement.

It is another object of this invention to provide a replacement top for a desk and the like which obviates the need for reconditioning the surface of the existing desk top preliminary to placement of the replacement top thereon.

Finally, it is an object of the invention to overcome the foregoing problems and satisfy the objects and desiderata in a simple and expedient manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Generally, the device of the present invention includes a replacement top for a desk top having an upper surface and a peripheral edge surface which comprises a frame and a sheet like overlay, the frame having edge and end members that are engageable with or closely spaced peripheral edge and end surface of a desk top, the edge and end members having contiguous portions attached together, the edge and end rnembers forming a pattern area substantially similar to that of the upper surface of the desk, and the overlay having an under surface to which the frame members are attached so that the overlay the frame members form recess means for receiving a desk top with the under surface of the overlay abuttable with the desk upper surface and with the end and edge members of the frame engageable with the peripheral edge surfaces of the desk top, whereby the overlay is essentially retained in place against lateral displacement.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the nature and objects of this invention reference is made to the following detailed description and drawings, in which:

FIG. I is a vertical sectional view through the top of a piece of furniture such as a desk, and showing a replacement top in place thereon;

FIG. 2 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the line lIIl of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are fragmentary plan views of the undersurface of two types of existing table tops and frames adapted therefor;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the under surface of existing desk top and showing the manner in which the frame of the replacement top can be extended to provide an overlap along one the existing top; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the manner in which the overlay and frame ofthe replacement top are assembled.

Similar numerals refer to similar throughout the several views of the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIG. 1, a replacement top. generally indicated at 10, is shown mounted in place on an existing top 12 of a table or desk 14 having an understructure 16 for supporting the top 12. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the replacement top 10 includes a sheetlike overlay l8 and a frame 20. The desk top 12 has an upper surface 22, opposite end surfaces 24, and opposite edge surfaces 26. The overlay 18 has an under surface 28 and an upper surface 30, which under surface is coextensive and in complete contact with the upper surface 22 of the existing top 12. In addition, the overlay 18 includes peripheral portions 32 which are an integral part of and coplanar with the upper and lower surfaces thereof. As shown in FIG. I, the frame 20 is attached to the under surface of the peripheral portions 32 of the overlay 18.

In FIG. 2, frame 20 includes opposite end members 34 as well as opposite edge members 36. The members 34 and 36 are attached to the under surface 28 of the peripheral positions 32 of the overlay. The spacing between the opposite end members 34 as well as between the opposite edge members 36 is only slightly greater than the length and width of the top 12 to permit easy placement of the top 10 in place. Thus, the members 34 and 36 are substantially in complete contact with the end surfaces 24 and edge surfaces 26 of the top 12 to prevent lateral displacement of the top 10. The members 34 and 36 together with the overlay 18 form an inverted recess for receiving the top 12 ofthe desk 14.

The members 34 and 36 of the frame 20 are secured to the overlay 18 by any suitable means. The preferred method is by an adhesive, such as glue.

Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 in which the end portions of adjoining frame members 34 and 36 are provided with arcuate configurations so that a rounded corner 38 may be provided where desirable. Thus, the frame members 34 and 36 may be adapted to existing desk tops 12 having either radius corners 40 or square corners 42 as shown in FIG. 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 provides a frame 44 which extends substantially beyond the ends, of an existing desk top 12 so as to provide an overlap portion as indicated by the arrow 46. Thus, the frame 44 includes an edge member 48, an outer end member 50 as well as a reinforcing frame member 52. A corner reinforcement 54 may be provided between the frame members 48 and 50. As shown, adjoining portions of all frame members are secured together by conventional means, such as clamp nails 56.

As shown in FIG. 6 the frame member, such as member 36, may be composed of unfinished soft pine lumber stock having a width varying from about three-fourths to l inch and a depth of about 1% inch, the latter of which dimensions serves as a flange or skirt" for completely concealing the edge and edges of existing tops. The overlay 18 may have a thickness ranging from one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch. The most suitable thickness is one-sixteenth inch. In addition, the outer exposed surface of the frame members may be covered with a veneer 58 which is applied preferably by adhesive means to serve as a decorative edge band for the exposed frame. The veneer 58 is preferably composed of a material similar to that the overlay 18.

The most suitable material for the overlay 18 and veneer 58 is a decorative laminate comprising a core layer, a decorative print, or patten layer overlying the core layer and a protective transparent layer overlying the decorative layer. The core DESCRIPTION layer is generally made from a plurality of resin-impregnated kraft paper sheets. The resin in the core layer may be a phenol-formaldehyde resin. The print or pattern layer is generally impregnated with a thermosetting melamine-formaldehyde resin. The transparent layer or sheet is made of high quality purified aplha cellulose and/or rayon fibers. the sheet being impregnated with a melamine-formaldehyde resin. The refractive indices of the fibers and the melamine resin are matched so that a transparent layer is provided. The three essential layers of the decorative laminate are. of course. bonded together into a unitary structure. The transparent layer may contain certain inorganic filler particles, such as finely divided silica, to provide a high resistance to abrasion. Reference may be made to application Ser. NO. 550,671, filed May 17, 1966 and assigned to the assignee of this invention, for further details on making decorative laminates particularly those with surfaces having high abrasion resistance.

While the best known embodiment of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail, it is understood that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby.

What I claim is:

l. A replacement top for a desk top having an upper surface and peripheral edge surfaces, comprising a frame and a sheetlike overlay, the frame having members forming a pattern area substantially similar to that of the upper surface of the desk, the overlay having an undersurface to which the frame members are adhesively bonded, the overlay and the frame members forming recess means for receiving a desk top with the undersurface of the overlay abuttable with essentially the entire desk uppersurface and with the edge members of the frame engageable with the peripheral edge surfaces of the desk top, said overlay consisting essentially of a decorative laminate comprising a core layer, a decorative print and pattern layer overlying the core layer and an overlying protective transparent layer overlying the decorative print and pattern layer, the core layer being composed ofa plurality of resin-impregnated kraft paper sheets.

2. The replacement top of claim 1 in which the resin in the core layer is a phenol-formaldehyde resin.

3. The replacement top of claim 2 in which the print or pattern layer is impregnated with a thermosetting melamine-formaldehyde resin.

4. The replacement top of claim 3 in which the transparent layer is composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of purified alpha cellulose andrayon fiber. and the layer being impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin.

5. The replacement top of claim 4 in which the decorative laminate has a thickness from about one-sixteenth to onefourth inch.

6. A desk having an upper surface and peripheral edge surfaces, a replacement top for the desk comprising a frame and a sheetlike overlay, the frame having members forming a pattern area substantially similar to that ofthe upper surface, the overlay having an undersurface to which the frame members are adhesively bonded, the overlay and the frame members forming recess means for receiving a replacement top with the undersurface of the overlay abutting with essentially the entire desk upper surface and with the edge members of the frame engageable with the peripheral edge surfaces of a desk top, said overlay consisting essentially of a decorative laminate comprising a core layer, a decorative print and pattern layer overlying the core layer and an overlying protective transparent layer overlying the decorative print and pattern layer, the core layer being composed of a plurality of resin-impregnated kraft paper sheets. 

2. The replacement top of claim 1 in which the resin in the core layer is a phenol-formaldehyde resin.
 3. The replacement top of claim 2 in which the print or pattern layer is impregnated with a thermosetting melamine-formaldehyde resin.
 4. The replacement top of claim 3 in which the transparent layer is composed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of purified alpha cellulose and rayon fiber, and the layer being impregnated with melamine-formaldehyde resin.
 5. The replacement top of claim 4 in which the decorative laminate has a thickness from about one-sixteenth to one-fourth inch.
 6. A desk having an upper surface and peripheral edge surfaces, a replacement top for the desk comprising a frame and a sheetlike overlay, the frame having members forming a pattern area substantially similar to that of the upper surface, the overlay having an undersurface to which the frame members are adhesively bonded, the overlay and the frame members forming recess means for receiving a replacement top with the undersurface of the overlay abutting with essentially the entire desk upper surface and with the edge members of the frame engageable with the peripheral edge surfaces of a desk top, said overlay consisTing essentially of a decorative laminate comprising a core layer, a decorative print and pattern layer overlying the core layer and an overlying protective transparent layer overlying the decorative print and pattern layer, the core layer being composed of a plurality of resin-impregnated kraft paper sheets. 